Middlesbrough dealt blow as Steve Cooper stance revealed, new candidates emerge for manager role

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Middlesbrough are looking for a new manager this week after parting ways with Michael Carrick, but we can exclusively reveal that Steve Cooper is now unlikely to take the job.

After months of rumours, Middlesbrough chief Steve Gibson finally made the decision to part ways with Carrick and take the Teessiders in a new direction for the 2025/26 Championship campaign.

Boro had failed to make the play-offs this season and appeared to be regressing under Carrick’s leadership, leaving the hierarchy with no choice but to move on.

Multiple names have been linked with the post at the Riverside already, and just yesterday it was thought Steve Cooper was top of the list for Boro.

However, EFL Analysis can now exclusively reveal the former Nottingham Forest and Leicester man is likely to spurn Middlesbrough’s advances, leaving the club to sound out other candidates.

• READ MORE: Steve Cooper would ‘get the best’ out of £6m Middlesbrough man if he replaces Michael Carrick, expert says

Steve Cooper out of the running for Middlesbrough, new names emerge

Thanks to information from our Chief Football Correspondent Graeme Bailey, we understand top target Steve Cooper is now unlikely to take over at Boro as the club are not willing to match his demands. In addition, it is thought Cooper has ambitions to manage abroad.

The new big name on the list for Middlesbrough is Robbie Keane, who formerly worked as Middlesbrough’s assistant coach. The Republic of Ireland legend is someone Steve Gibson rates highly.

He is currently working in Hungary, and his assistant there, Phil Hudson, was also an analyst at Boro with him.

Meanwhile, Sheffield Wednesday manager Danny Rohl has also been discussed for the role.

We know Rob Edwards is being considered, although we can confirm that Luton Town would be due compensation if that were to go ahead.

Elsewhere, former Blackburn man Jon-Dahl Tomasson has applied for the job at Middlesbrough, and first-team coach Grant Leadbitter is also believed to have impressed during his time with the club and could be considered for the top job.

• READ MORE: Michael Carrick could be handed quick-fire return to management after Middlesbrough sacking

Steve Cooper’s managerial career to date

Steve Cooper made his name at Nottingham Forest when he steered the club to the Premier League against the odds via the Championship play-offs.

In the top flight, despite being able to keep Forest up, results eventually started to go against Cooper and he lost his job there in December 2023.

Since then, Cooper had an ill-fated spell with rivals Leicester City in 2024, but lasted just 146 days there before being dismissed in November of last year.

Cooper has previously worked with Swansea City and the England youth setup, helping the young Three Lions claim the Under-17s World Cup.